Leicester_H Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Not sure if the search isn't working - I know I read about this on here somewhere but I can't find it. I seem to recall that one of these is OK for hens and one is a complete no-no - but I can't remember which way round it is a. in the nest box b. in the run for them to 'play with' (I seem to recall a video of hens liking to 'throw it(straw/hay) around') Can someone remind me or point me to the earlier thread please ?? Thanks, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Hay can contain spores which can cause problems for hens. Although I'm not sure how much of a problem this would be in the cold weather. Straw is fine though, I use this in my nest box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 i use hay in mine. I tried straw but I didnt like it. I havent had any problems with my girls but each to their preference. I know some dont like either and will use abiouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Straw not hay as the others have correctly said Straw is great in a covered but grassless run but must be raked out often or it will get very horrid very quickly. the benefit is that its so cheap if you can buy bales and store them Some of my chooks have straw in their runs which they love and I use a mucking out fork to s"Ooops, word censored!"e it out Straw may harbour mites apparently but I havent had that problem I dont think I'd use it in a nest box as whenever I have used it in coops (when its very cold) the chickens simply s"Ooops, word censored!"e it out in to the run and play with it then go to bed of the bare wood or plastic of their coop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I avoid using either and just use Aubiose in the poo trays, nest box and run. Never had any problems with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I'm using medibed at the moment which is chopped straw. I'm liking it because you don't see the poo in it unlike hemcore, easibed etc., bit lazy I know but not bothering to pick it all out at present I change around all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted November 9, 2011 Author Share Posted November 9, 2011 I use Aubiose as the 'proper' run / eglu material I was simply thinking of putting a small pile of it in the run for them to scratch around - I saw a video (or perhaps on TV) of chickens liking to fling it around - seemed like a way to keep them amused for 5 minutes!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squiffs Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Straw - the girlies love it - they pull it out from under the nest box in the cube and tear it to bits! Hay is a total no-no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 I've had to put an extra layer of bricks for the water to stand on with all the straw flinging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 As the others have said, Hay can harbor spores which can cause respiratory problems. Straw is ok but mites can live in the hollow blade - you should be ok with vaccum packed stuff as the mites shouldn't be able to get in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
